[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 31 (Tuesday, February 17, 1998)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 7642-7643]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-3260]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 97-NM-240-AD; Amendment 39-10323; AD 98-04-10]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A300 and A300-600 Series 
Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD), 
applicable to all Airbus Model A300 and A300-600 series airplanes, that 
requires repetitive inspections for cracking of the lugs of hinge 
brackets of inner airbrakes (spoilers) No. 1 and No. 2, and corrective 
action, if necessary. This amendment is prompted by the issuance of 
mandatory continuing airworthiness information by a foreign civil 
airworthiness authority. The actions specified by this AD are intended 
to prevent detachment of the spoilers and consequent reduced 
controllability of the airplane.

DATES: Effective March 24, 1998.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of March 24, 1998.

ADDRESSES: The service information referenced in this AD may be 
obtained from Airbus Industrie, 1 Rond Point Maurice Bellonte, 31707 
Blagnac Cedex, France. This information may be examined at the Federal 
Aviation Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, Rules 
Docket, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; or at the Office of 
the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, 
Washington, DC.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Norman B. Martenson, Manager, 
International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (425) 
227-2110; fax (425) 227-1149.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal 
Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) to include an airworthiness 
directive (AD) that is applicable to all Airbus Model A300 and A300-600 
series airplanes was published in the Federal Register on November 6, 
1997 (62 FR 60047). That action proposed to require repetitive 
inspections for cracking of the lugs of hinge brackets of inner 
airbrakes (spoilers) No. 1 and No. 2, and corrective action, if 
necessary.

Comments

    Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate 
in the making of this amendment. No comments were submitted in response 
to the proposal or the FAA's determination of the cost to the public.

Clarification of Referenced Repair Drawings

    The FAA has revised paragraph (b) of this final rule to clarify the 
referenced repair drawings by adding the company name, the applicable 
revision level, and the date of the drawings.

Conclusion

    After careful review of the available data, including the 
clarification noted above, the FAA has determined that air safety and 
the public interest require the adoption of the rule with the changes 
previously described. The FAA has determined that these changes will 
neither increase the economic burden on any operator nor increase the 
scope of the AD.

Cost Impact

    The FAA estimates that 102 Model A300 and A300-600 series airplanes 
of U.S. registry will be affected by this AD, that it will take 
approximately 4 work hours per airplane to accomplish the required 
actions, and that the average labor rate is $60 per work hour. Based on 
these figures, the cost impact of the AD on U.S. operators is estimated 
to be $24,480, or $240 per airplane.
    The cost impact figure discussed above is based on assumptions that 
no operator has yet accomplished any of the requirements of this AD 
action, and that no operator would accomplish those actions in the 
future if this AD were not adopted.

Regulatory Impact

    The regulations adopted herein will not have substantial direct 
effects on the States, on the relationship between the national 
government and the States, or on the distribution of power and 
responsibilities among the various levels of government. Therefore, in 
accordance with Executive Order 12612, it is determined that this final 
rule does not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant the 
preparation of a Federalism Assessment.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this action (1) is 
not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive Order 12866; 
(2) is not a ``significant rule'' under DOT Regulatory Policies and 
Procedures (44

[[Page 7643]]

FR 11034, February 26, 1979); and (3) will not have a significant 
economic impact, positive or negative, on a substantial number of small 
entities under the criteria of the Regulatory Flexibility Act. A final 
evaluation has been prepared for this action and it is contained in the 
Rules Docket. A copy of it may be obtained from the Rules Docket at the 
location provided under the caption ADDRESSES.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by 
reference, Safety.

Adoption of the Amendment

    Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration amends part 39 of 
the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) as follows:

PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES

    1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows:

    Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701.


Sec. 39.13  [Amended]

    2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new 
airworthiness directive:

98-04-10  Airbus Industrie: Amendment 39-10323. Docket 97-NM-240-AD.

    Applicability: All Model A300 and A300-600 series airplanes, 
certificated in any category.

    Note 1: This AD applies to each airplane identified in the 
preceding applicability provision, regardless of whether it has been 
modified, altered, or repaired in the area subject to the 
requirements of this AD. For airplanes that have been modified, 
altered, or repaired so that the performance of the requirements of 
this AD is affected, the owner/operator must request approval for an 
alternative method of compliance in accordance with paragraph (c) of 
this AD. The request should include an assessment of the effect of 
the modification, alteration, or repair on the unsafe condition 
addressed by this AD; and, if the unsafe condition has not been 
eliminated, the request should include specific proposed actions to 
address it.

    Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished 
previously.
    To detect and correct cracking of the lugs of hinge brackets of 
inner airbrakes (spoilers) No. 1 and No. 2 of both wings, which 
could result in detachment of the spoilers and consequent reduced 
controllability of the airplane, accomplish the following:
    (a) Perform a high frequency eddy current (HFEC) inspection for 
cracking of the lugs of the center hinge brackets of spoilers No. 1 
and No. 2, in accordance with Airbus Service Bulletin A300-57-0229 
(for Model A300 series airplanes) or A300-57-6074 (for Model A300-
600 series airplanes), both dated October 16, 1996, as applicable. 
Accomplish the inspection at the time specified in paragraph (a)(1), 
(a)(2), or (a)(3), as applicable, of this AD. If any discrepancy is 
found, prior to further flight, perform the follow-on actions 
specified in the Accomplishment Instructions of the applicable 
service bulletin. Repeat the HFEC inspection thereafter at intervals 
not to exceed 8,200 flight cycles.
    (1) For airplanes that have accumulated less than 23,200 total 
flight cycles as of the effective date of this AD: Inspect prior to 
the accumulation of 16,000 total flight cycles, or within 1,000 
flight cycles after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs 
later.
    (2) For airplanes that have accumulated 23,200 total flight 
cycles or more, but less than 36,500 total flight cycles as of the 
effective date of this AD: Inspect within 500 flight cycles after 
the effective date of this AD.
    (3) For airplanes that have accumulated 36,500 total flight 
cycles or more as of the effective date of this AD: Inspect within 
50 flight cycles after the effective date of this AD.
    (b) Airbus Service Bulletins A300-57-6074 and A300-57-0229, both 
dated October 16, 1996, specify that the actions required by 
paragraph (a) of this AD may be accomplished in accordance with a 
method ``left to the operator's discretion.'' [Operators may use a 
discretionary method only if that method has been approved as an 
alternative method of compliance in accordance with paragraph (c) of 
this AD.] Therefore, this AD requires that the replacement of a 
bracket as required by paragraph (a) be accomplished in accordance 
with the procedures specified in British Aerospace Repair Drawings 
(for Airbus Model A300 and A300-600 series airplanes) R572-40205, 
Revision F, dated August 12, 1997 (for a center hinge bracket), and/
or R572-40208, Revision B, dated August 12, 1997 (for an inner or 
outer hinge bracket), as applicable.
    (c) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the 
compliance time that provides an acceptable level of safety may be 
used if approved by the Manager, International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, 
Transport Airplane Directorate. Operators shall submit their 
requests through an appropriate FAA Principal Maintenance Inspector, 
who may add comments and then send it to the Manager, International 
Branch, ANM-116.

    Note 2: Information concerning the existence of approved 
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be 
obtained from the International Branch, ANM-116.

    (d) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with 
sections 21.197 and 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 
CFR 21.197 and 21.199) to operate the airplane to a location where 
the requirements of this AD can be accomplished.
    (e) The inspections shall be done in accordance with Airbus 
Service Bulletin A300-57-0229, dated October 16, 1996, or Airbus 
Service Bulletin A300-57-6074, dated October 16, 1996; as 
applicable. The replacement shall be done in accordance with the 
following British Aerospace Repair, as applicable, which contain the 
specified list of effective pages:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Repair drawings referenced and                                   Revision level                               
               date                          Sheet No.             shown on sheet        Date shown on sheet    
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
572-40205, Revision F, August 12,   1, 8, 13-15...............  F                    August 12, 1997.           
 1997.                                                                                                          
                                     2-7, 9-12................  A                    March 6, 1996.             
572-40208, Revision B, August 12,   1, 6, 8-10................  B                    August 12, 1997.           
 1997.                                                                                                          
                                    2-5, 7....................  A                    February 21, 1996.         
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    This incorporation by reference was approved by the Director of 
the Federal Register in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR 
part 51. Copies may be obtained from Airbus Industrie, 1 Rond Point 
Maurice Bellonte, 31707 Blagnac Cedex, France. Copies may be 
inspected at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind 
Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; or at the Office of the Federal 
Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.

    Note 3: The subject of this AD is addressed in French 
airworthiness directive 97-080-211(B)R1, dated May 21, 1997.

    (f) This amendment becomes effective on March 24, 1998.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on February 4, 1998.
Darrell M. Pederson,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 98-3260 Filed 2-13-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U